COLUMBUS, Ohio — As a major winter storm approaches in the days ahead, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference with other state officials to address the state's preparations on Thursday.
You can watch the entirety of the press briefing in the YouTube player below.
During the press conference, DeWine noted that the entire state will be affected by the incoming storm, likely by 4 a.m. on Friday morning. He advised that due to the extreme temperatures, wind and flash freezing, it is best to stay off the roads and indoors, if possible.
"When Ohioans get up tomorrow morning, the roads are going to be very, very, very dangerous and very, very, very difficult," DeWine said. "The obvious recommendation to everyone is stay home. There is significant danger that can come from driving off the road. Your car can cool much quicker than normal. And the ultimate concern of course is skin exposure, hypothermia."
DeWine also noted that due to the cold temperatures, it will be difficult for salt to be effective on the roads and sidewalks. He also acknowledged that while families and friends have plans to see each other over the upcoming Christmas holiday, it is important to consider the dangers and to monitor the situation.
As for how the weather will affect Northeast Ohio, in particular, our Ryan Haidet has complied an expected timeline for this weekend's forecast.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON / EVENING
Temps climb into the low 40s as rain chances move in by the afternoon and evening hours.
“Today we’re actually going to be in the 40s – and we actually hold that all the way up to midnight," explains 3News meteorologist Payton Domschke.
FRIDAY MORNING
Temperatures will drop – fast – in the early morning hours.
"We see temperatures drop 30 to 40 degrees in a matter of hours," Domschke says. "That’s going to lead to a flash freeze.”
The transition from rain to snow will slide through Northeast Ohio with a strong punch.
“We’re going to go from near 40 on the east side to around the 20s at 1 a.m. on the west side," Domschke says.
By 8 a.m., all of Northeast Ohio will be experiencing dangerously cold temperatures with wind chills well below zero.
Wind gusts could top 50-60 mph at times, which could also result in power outages throughout the day. Wind chills will be well below zero with -30 conditions possible.
